Redbridge bin men are being “abused and spat at” by residents, according to council leader Cllr Jas Athwal.

Cllr Athwal said the treatment of key council workers was “totally unacceptable and must never happen again”, asking residents to “stand with our staff and show your support”.

According to him, several residents have abused refuse staff in the borough and one worker was spat at, putting them at possible risk of disease amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The council has already taken a number of measures to protect refuse staff, including moving bin collections to 5am.

Twitter user @Welshbeard replied: “I've just been to the end of our driveway to give our refuse workers a clap. They deserve it, and they appreciated the gesture.”

Another asked whether the incident had been reported to the police as spitting can be classed as assault.

Redbridge Council has also cancelled separate recycling collections until further notice and is collecting recycling along with normal rubbish due to staff shortages.

Garden waste and bulky item collections are suspended until further notice.

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